I John chapter 2
2: 1-6
1. Gives second stated purpose of book. What is it? (remember this as we discuss proscriptions in remainder of book)
-Why is 2nd part of v. 1 significant?
-What does an advocate do? So in that role, what is Christ doing for us?
-Why do you think it is significant to describe Christ as righteous?
2. What does propitiation mean?
-hilasmos: reconciliation (through Christ) => “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath & turns it to favor”
-What does it mean when it says that Christ is the propitiation for the whole world?
-Does this mean that all world’s sins are forgiven now? Why/not? (give scripture references if possible. Also see vs. 9-10 of chapter 1 & look for this as we go on in passage).
3-6. How do these verses play out practically in your lives when you still sin or fail?
*remember 1:8: perfection is impossible! And also 2:1—purpose of writing is that we will not sin
4. How does knowing God lead to a desire to keep His commands? (illustrate relationships: friend,
dating, or marriage—as we get to know the other person we desire to do or not do what they prefer in order to have a harmonious relationship)
5. “perfected” here can be translated as “made complete”
-it does not say “our love for Him is made perfect” but “the love of God is made perfect”:
How does our keeping His commandments reflect back on God’s love, not our abilities?
6. Again, illustration of walking is used. How did Jesus “walk” and how can we mirror that?
- How is it possible for us to do anything like Christ?
-What does “abiding in Him” have to do with walking like Him?
Purposes: How does this section inspire joy in you?
-How does it encourage you not to sin?
2: 7-11
v.7 He uses the term “beloved” to start this and started 2:1 w/”my little children”
-why do you think he uses these terms of endearment, & how do they affect your reading of this
passage?
-What command is her referring to here? see Lev. 19:18, Deut. 6:5, Mt 22:34-40
-Why would it be important to John’s readers that this commandment isn’t brand new?
v. 8 How is this “old commandment also new? see Jn 13:34-35
-Can you think of ways that Jesus made old commands new? (mt. 5:21-48 “but I say…” stmts)
-How has he made this one new? Jn 13:34-35
-How is this command made new in us? Jn 15:12-13
(command is new b/c previously we heard about it but now we experience it?) –maybe?
-How does the “true light shining” relate to this command which has been made new?
darkness: skotia: associated w/unhappiness; consequences of sin
shining: phaino:”indicates how a matter phenomenally shows & presents itself w/no necessary assumption of any beholder at all”; cannot be a figment of the imagination but must have a reality behind it
light: phos: never kindled or quenched
-According to this, as believers, how do we reflect the true light?
-a definite action/substance must be behind it!
-How does darkness pass away?
-literally by light being introduced…here can refer to darkness before Christ
9. What does it mean to hate? How do we show hate to others?
-How is hate evidence of darkness?
10. love: agapeo: (Who can define this?)
-term only used in religious contexts. Indicates direction of the will & finding joy in something. compassionate/benevolent love; wanting the best for a person
-How is love for others a sign of light in us?
-What does it mean when it says “no cause for stumbling in him?
-How does light prevent us f/m stumbling? (Jn. 11:9-10)
v. 11 Restating of other vs. w/conclusion
-What are the 3 characteristics/progression of one who hates?
-in the darkness
-walking in darkness
-blinded by darkness so without direction
-Have you ever been blinded by hate?
-How does hate or lack of love affect our relationship w/God & other believers?
-Practically, how do we overcome hate and have a loving attitude towards others?
-How do love & obedience go together?
-How does this passage promote joy? How does it inspire you not to sin?
2: 12-14
This section breaks down 3 groups and a new stated purpose of why John has written/is writing them. (see diagram for breakdown)
There are different views on the 3 groups but agreement that they are based on maturity in Christ.
-Some say that “little children” sections apply to all believers based on contextual use in 2:1, others see little children as being brand new believers. Regardless, “fathers” and “young men” are used to refer to most mature in Christ, and younger believers, respectively.
John also changes the tense of his “writing” terms in vs. 13. Previous verses used present tense while latter verses use aorist. Speculation includes that the aorist tense (have written/write) refers to a previous work vs. current (i.e., previous work being gospel of John) while others believe it refers to what was previous part of this letter vs. what he is going to write next.
Questions:
What do you think the different terms refer to—3 different groups or two and one general reference to all Christians. Why?
Why do you think that each purpose is significant to the group that is mentioned?
v. 12. Why is it significant that our sins are forgiven for the sake of His name? How does this tie in w/what we previously learned in 1:9
-How is the fathers’ reminder of knowing “Him who is from the beginning” different than the reminder to the children that they know the Father? (see john 1:1-5 & 14:6-7 for more on john’s view of the Father & Son.)
-Why would it be important to those who had been believers longer to be reminded that He is “from the beginning”, while “little children” just need to be reminded that they know the Father?
-Do you think the “Father” and “Him who is from the beginning” both refer to God the Father or that one refers to Christ?
-The “young men” are given very action-based/empowering assurances. Why do you think those are important for those who are in that faith stage? (Eph. 6:11-13)
-How are believers able to be strong? (Eph. 6:10-11)
-What does it mean for the word of God to abide in us? John 5:36-38; John 14:15-20,25-26; Eph 2:16, 6:17-18
-How can John say that the young men have overcome the evil one already? John 16:32-33, I John 4:4, 5:4
-Which of these assurances is most comforting or inspiring for you?
